Dr Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd whose book “Smajika Smugglerlu: Komatollu’’ angered the Hindutva forces posted threatening posters in front of his house. According to Dr Kancha Ilaiah these posters which appeared on 4th November night is a warning to attack or kill him. He has filed a complaint to The Station House Officer, Osmania University, Hyderabad. Here is the full text of his complaint to SHO.

To

The Station House Officer
Osmania University, Hyderabad

Sub: Book a Case against the Posters pasted in Streets against me – Req – Reg

Sir,

You are aware that the forces that have been attacking me for the last two month after the Arya-Vysya leaders namely TG Venkatesh, Ramakrishna and Ramana threatened me and I filed several complaints against them in this very police station. Suddenly, on 4th November, 2017 night posters appeared all along the Street No. 1 of Taranaka and also on the walls of my apartment and opposite to it. The posters read in Telugu “Agnani, Moorkhudaina Ilaiahnu Kshamiddam Hindu Dharmanni Rakshinchukundam, Jai Sriram (Let us excuse foolish (and also idiot) Ilaiah and protect Hinduism, Jaisriram). I know when they say “Skamiddam” it means the opposite (it could be attack or kill). When they use the slogan Jaisriram it has a serious threatening connotations.

If they were to say Jai Srikrishna, that would have connoted peace and love. In the whole country, the Yadava community (to which I am a part of) uses Jai Srikrishna as God of animal grazing and production, but not as war hero. My community is the one which grazes sheep, goat, buffaloes and cows. In this context Jai Sriram has a dangerous warning signal to me.

Apart from this the BJP MLC Mr. Ramchander Rao, who lives in the same area has been attacking me in many meetings and saying that “Hindus will teach him a lesson”, what does that mean? It is a known fact that Mr.Ramchnder Rao was involved in Rohith Venmula suicide abuttal case. The BJP spokes person Krishna Sagar Rao has also been using very abusive language even on the TV channels against me. So in my view there is a nexus between TG Venkatesh and these forces, hence, this poster issue has to be seriously investigated and case must be booked on the abutters and planners not just those who pasted them.

As I and Dr. Bheenaveni Ramaiah (Assistant Professor of Sociology, Osmania University), one of my relatives, my Driver narrowly missed a major murderous attack at Parakal, Bhupalpally district on 23/9/2017 by the Arya-Vysya forces at 4.45 pm. In this context, I am issuing this statement. They were about 30 and more people with big stones in their hands at the Ambedkar statue at the road turning point junction towards Warangal. Some attackers started chasing my car hitting it from behind from Bhupalapalli onwards with hands. They would have attacked us at the Bhupalapalli red light cross. But my driver’s speed movement once the green light appeared saved us there. With a pre-plan a team was also waiting at Parkal. There also my driver took quick turn to the right drove to the nearby police station in Parakal with highest speed possible. The mob was also followed my car upto the police station.

Thankfully all the police personal quickly covered my vehicle. The CI and SI really provided protection. The Arya-Vysyas tried to push themselves into the Police Station. They waited there till I gave the petition and started with two protection police vehicles.

As the police followed us in two vehicles, as we reached Ghanpur, there were several Arya-Vysyas on the road to attack our car even when the police were there. There again the local CI protected with a great skill by taking us through village roads and could reach Hyderabad safely in the night at 10pm. It was a fear stricken travel.

Ever since my effigy burning on 10th September, 2017 started I had to lodge three cases. Two in Osmania PS after Arya-Vysya leaders Ramakrishna and Ramana’s threats. The second one after the threat issued by TG Venkatesh MP, TDP and at also Parkal murderous attack.

The national parties like Congress, CPM and CPI did not even condemn at the national level. The Telangana Congress, TDP and other parties were also silent. Only Telangana CPM and CPI condemned. The ruling TRS and BJP were all the time supporting the Arya-Vysays and abusing me on the TV channels. No major human right activists came forward in my support within Telangana, quite tragically.

In my two petitions at Osmania I requested for strong police protection at my house. That is also not provided.

I am losing faith in the constitutionally guaranteed freedom of Speech also.

In this fearful situation I took the following decisions:

1) Till 4th October, 2017 end I impose a Self-House Arrest myself and remain at Home. If I need to go out on personal needs like (medical and other) I will inform the Osmania Police Station.

2) I remain silent for all the media networkers of the State are concerned. If they are national or international by appointment I may speak. That is also in good faith.